Particulate Matter Sampling - Air quality index

1 A P T I 4 3 5 : A T M O S P H E R IC S A M P L I N G C O U R S E 4-1 Particulate Matter Sampling Introduction This chapter provides a definition for the subclasses of Particulate Matter (PM), addresses the rationale for size fractionation of particulates , and discusses Particulate Matter Sampling techniques in ambient air. PM is the generic term for a broad class of chemically, physically, and biologically diverse substances that exist as discrete particles (liquid droplets or solids) over a wide variation in the size of the particles. EPA typically characterizes the physical and chemical characteristics of PM through various pump-based and direct-reading continuous techniques.

2 When suspended in air, PM is typically referred to as aerosol. Acute and chronic health effects have been positively associated with PM exposure. Because health effects and visibility are related to particle size, concentration, and chemical composition, EPA extensively characterizes PM. Particles are usually characterized by their size diameter. PM size ranges from molecular clusters of approximately micrometers ( m) in diameter to particles of approximately 100 m. Particles less than about m act more like gases, and thus are not treated as Particulate Matter ; while particles greater than 100 m, due to their size and mass, are easily removed and are typically not released as an air emission.

3 Because particles are present in many shapes and sizes, EPA methods characterize particles by their aerodynamic diameter, which is defined as the diameter of a sphere with a unit density (density of water= 1000 kg/m3) that will settle in still air at the same rate as the particle in question. Particle size is important because of the adverse health effects associated with particles in certain size ranges. The deposition of particles in the respiratory system is shown in Figure 4-1. Basically, the smaller the particle, the more likely it will penetrate deeper in the lung. Particles much greater than 100 m are typically not inhaled, while smaller particles, typically less than 4 m, can interfere with oxygen gas-exchange in the lung alveolar region.

4 Figure 4-2 shows the penetration ability of particles in the lung, defined by commonly-used size-based particle terms. Chapter 4 This chapter will take approximately 3 hours to complete. O B J E C T I V E S Terminal Learning Objective The student will be able to identify the procedures of Particulate Matter Sampling . Enabling Learning Objectives View the principle of inertial collection. Identify and classify the inertial Sampling devices. View collection efficiency and penetration efficiency of inertial Sampling devices. Identify limitations and sources of error in inertial collection.

5 View filtration Sampling . View gravitational Sampling . Describe the principles and applications of electrostatic precipitation. Describe the thermal precipitators. Summarize the fundamental principles for Sampling for PM in the atmosphere. A P T I 4 3 5 : A T M O S P H E R IC S A M P L I N G C O U R S E 4-2 Figure 4-1. Respiratory collection of particles. A P T I 4 3 5 : A T M O S P H E R IC S A M P L I N G C O U R S E 4-3 Figure 4-2. Modeled lung deposition as a function of particle size. Inhalable, thoracic, and respirable particles, which describe where particles are likely to deposit in the lung, are terms used more commonly in industrial hygiene (occupational-related PM exposures), while and PM10 are terms used by EPA to describe particles up to m and up to 10 m, respectively.

6 These EPA size fractions are also described with the terms coarse (10 m m) and fine (< m). Exposure to large particles can cause coughing and sneezing, while smaller particles can bypass the body s defense mechanisms and disrupt cellular processes. In addition to being characterized by their size, particles can also be described by their origin or formation mechanism, chemical composition, and physical properties, as well as in terms of what is measured by a particular Sampling technique. Figure 4-3 presents particle size distributions of several significant sources of Particulate emissions.

7 A P T I 4 3 5 : A T M O S P H E R IC S A M P L I N G C O U R S E 4-4 Figure 4-3. Particle size distributions of sources of Particulate emissions. Figure 4-4 shows the idealized size distribution of particles in ambient air (Chow, 1997). More specifically, the figure shows the relative concentration of , PM10, and TSP size fractions in ambient air. These distinct curves are commonly referred to as modes. The mass collected is proportional to the area under the size distribution within each size range. Although large particles contribute most to the mass concentration, as shown in Figure 4-4, there are typically many more small particles in ambient air on a number of particles per unit volume basis.

8 Figure 4-4. Idealized size distribution of particle in ambient air. A P T I 4 3 5 : A T M O S P H E R IC S A M P L I N G C O U R S E 4-5 Inherent to pump-based Sampling , no Sampling device is able to collect all particles in a desired size range with 100% efficiency. For example, particle size selection devices, such as a Well Impactor Ninety Six (WINS) or Very Sharp Cut Cyclone (VSCC) used in Sampling , are designed to collect 50% of particles of m aerodynamic diameter size while allowing the remaining 50% to pass through the device. The collection efficiency of these devices increases at particle sizes greater than m, while particles less than m pass through the device with greater penetration efficiency until finally collected on a collection plate or filter.

9 Is then determined to be the mass concentration of particles collected on a filter that passed through the WINS or VSCC (collection plates and filters capture particles at ~100% collection efficiency). A detailed discussion on collection and penetration efficiency is provided later in this chapter. Examples of collection efficiency curves for typical PM Sampling devices are shown in figures 4-8 and 4-11. The original National Ambient Air quality Standards (NAAQS) for Particulate Matter were first established in 1971, and were measured based on the use of total suspended Particulate (TSP) samplers known as high-volume samplers.

10 The high-volume sampler, which is based on a filtration technique, typically captures particles up to 45 m and usually up to a nominal size of 25 to 45 m. In 1979, EPA added PM10 to TSP as the indicator for particles, where PM10 refers to particles with a mean aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 m. Although the TSP standard was revoked in 1987, TSP measurements continue to be taken for various Sampling purposes. On July 18, 1997, EPA promulgated new PM standards which included NAAQS for Particulate Matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to m, referred to as In 2006, PM10 and standards were revised to their current values (Chapter 7).